Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Ten Pacific nations reportedly rejected China’s draft of a joint security pact. This rejection comes as Australia and China are trying to assert their influence in the region.
Collect AFP, in a recent letter to Pacific nation leaders, Federated States President of Micronesia, David Panuelo, called Beijing’s bid under the pact “dishonest”.
“The offer is dishonest and (we) will ensure China’s influence in government and economic control of key industries,” the statement said.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Papua New Guinea, Soroi Eoe, said the same thing. He said he prefers to resolve security issues bilaterally with China.
“We prefer to deal with our own security issues with China”, he stressed.
The talks come after talks in Fiji between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and leaders from Pacific nations failed.
China has recently increased its activities in the South Pacific. This directly challenges the influence of the United States (US) and its allies namely Australia and New Zealand in the region.
The previously proposed pact is expected to give Beijing access to train police in the Pacific nation, engage in cybersecurity, expand political ties, conduct sensitive ocean mapping, and gain greater access to natural resources on land and in water.
In exchange, Beijing has offered millions of dollars in financial aid, the prospect of a China-Pacific islands free trade agreement and access to the Chinese market of 1.4 billion people.
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